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Associate III
April 3, 2026
Solved

Custom STM32h743ZI Board wont connect ("Failed to initialize DAP")

  • April 3, 2026
  • 4 replies
  • 382 views

Hello Community,

I am struggling with a custom board design based on the STM32H743ZIT6 (LQFP144, non-SMPS version). I’ve replaced the MCU already, but the symptoms remain identical, suggesting a fundamental hardware/layout issue.

The Symptoms:

  1. Current Draw: 10mA when BOOT0 = GND. Approx. 50mA when BOOT0 = 3.3V (System Bootloader).

  2. VCAP Voltage: Measuring approx. 1.0V.

  3. Debug Connection: Using Segger J-Link (V11). "Failed to initialize DAP" / "Can not attach to CPU". VTref is stable at 3.3V, NRST is at 3.3V.

  4. USB DFU: When BOOT0 = 3.3V, Windows reports "Device Descriptor Request Failed" (Unknown Device) when connected via usb.

  5. SWD Pins: PA13/PA14 show ~1.6V when floating (no debugger connected), which is highly unusual

  6. Same Symptoms if 3.3V are supplied by ams1117 or laboratory power supply

My Schematic:

VBat, all Vdds, Vdda, VRef, PDR_ON are all connected to 3.3V

all GNDs and AGND are connected to GND

each Vcaps (2x) has a 2.2uF capacitor (alltough i am not sure about its esr)

each Vdd pin has its own 100nF or 1uF cap.

=> See stm32schematic.pdf

My Layout:

 

Vcaps:

Screenshot 2026-04-03 172705.png

Screenshot 2026-04-03 172818.png

As this is a university projekt help would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

Best answer by QuirinS

Adding a pullup Resistor to NRST solved the problem.

Thanks for your help!

4 replies

mƎALLEm
Technical Moderator
April 3, 2026

Hello,


@QuirinS wrote:

each Vcaps (2x) has a 2.2uF capacitor (alltough i am not sure about its esr)


For Vcap pins, you need just 2x 2.2uF and all VCAP pins need to be connected together.

screenshot.png

Please refer to the AN4938 "Getting started with STM32H74xI/G and STM32H75xI/G " and check again your hardware based on the recommendations and the reference design provided in the section 8 Reference design.

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AScha.3
Super User
April 3, 2026

Hi @mƎALLEm  , whats the pin U11 in your pic ?

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mƎALLEm
Technical Moderator
April 3, 2026

U11 ball / TFBGA240 package:

screenshot.png

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Andrew Neil
Super User
April 3, 2026

You don't have NRST on the debug connector, and a I don't see the recommended capacitor on it.

As @mƎALLEm said, see the hardware development app note, AN4938.

Also the datasheet:

Image1.png

 

You could also look at ST board schematics, for reference.

A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked.A complex system designed from scratch never works and cannot be patched up to make it work.
QuirinSAuthor
Associate III
April 3, 2026

Thanks for your response

i have the rst pin on a pad wich i connected to the jlink

QuirinSAuthor
Associate III
April 3, 2026

I will solder a new board just with the stm32h743 and:

100nF for each vdd and rst

1uf and 100nF for vbat, vdda, vref and vddusb

pulldown on boot0

I will supply 3.3V externaly

This minimal layout should allow me to comnect with the segger jlink, or am I missing something?

Re there any other pins that need more circuitry?

mƎALLEm
Technical Moderator
April 6, 2026

@QuirinS wrote:

This minimal layout should allow me to comnect with the segger jlink, or am I missing something?

Re there any other pins that need more circuitry?


As suggested earlier, you need to follow the reference design provided in the AN4938. It provides a minimal hardware required.

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QuirinSAuthorBest answer
Associate III
April 13, 2026

Adding a pullup Resistor to NRST solved the problem.

Thanks for your help!

mƎALLEm
Technical Moderator
April 14, 2026

@QuirinS wrote:

Adding a pullup Resistor to NRST solved the problem.

Thanks for your help!


Hello,

I don't think adding NRST is a solution. Perharps it hides another problem.

There is an internal pull-up resistor inside the chip on NRST pin. See the screenshot from the datasheet posted by @Andrew Neil 

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